Five insect allergies that might pop up this summer
Posted: 16th June 2021 | Posted by Costa
Five insect allergies that might pop up this summer
Warmer temperatures, longer days, barbecues, and ice creams are some of the best parts of summer. But there’s always something to come along and ruin it. And when it comes to warmer weather, it’s the insects that turn up invited.
Summer creates the perfect environment for many insects, bringing them out of hiding and into our gardens and homes. Unfortunately, some people have insect allergies, making it that much worse. Here’s our list of five insects that can set your allergies off that you might not know about.
Bees and wasps
Let’s start with a two-for-one. Bee and wasp sting allergies are fairly common knowledge. But you might not know that a person can be allergic to one and not the other. In fact, it’s rare for someone to be allergic to both. That’s because their venoms are different, even though they both contain allergens.
What’s interesting is that you won’t necessarily have an allergic reaction from the first sting from a wasp, but ‘sensitisation’ may cause you to become allergic to future ones. Other stinging insects that can cause allergic reactions include hornets and fire ants.
Asian ladybirds
As harmless and pretty as a ladybird may seem, scientists have discovered that ladybird blood, which they release whenever they’re agitated, can trigger an allergic reaction. In some places, like West Virginia, positive allergy tests to the Asian ladybird are as high as 21%, almost the same level as cockroach allergies.
Cockroaches
Those nasty, seemingly indestructible creatures that eat almost anything (even their own kind!) can cause year-round allergy symptoms and also trigger asthma. Studies even show that children who are allergic to cockroaches and are exposed to them need to go to the hospital for their asthma more often than other asthmatic children. But it’s not the bug itself that causes reactions, it’s their feces, saliva, and shedding body parts.
Crickets
Crickets are arthropods, much like prawns, crabs, and lobsters. So they contain some of the same proteins. This means if you’re allergic to shellfish, there’s a good chance you could develop an allergy to crickets too. They also contain some of the same proteins as cockroaches, so if cockroaches make your nose stuffy, crickets may as well. Although, most reactions are from actually eating the cricket.
This is just the tip of the iceberg – many insects can trigger allergic reactions. That’s not a surprise since there are over one million discovered species hopping around. So as summer creeps up on us, it’s important to be aware of any insects and get a test if you believe you have an allergy.
If you think you might have an allergy, don’t wait around. Book your allergy test today with the London Allergy and Immunology Centre. Call us today on 02031 433 449.